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Records of the United States Geologic Survey
Available at the National Archives at
Fort Worth

Introduction

Branch of Connally Act Compliance, Conservation Division

In an effort to halt the wasteful overproduction of oil, Congress approved an Act of February 22, 1935 (49 Stat. 30)—known as the Connally Hot Oil Act—to prohibit the transportation of oil produced in excess of the amount permitted by state regulations. An executive order of March 1, 1935, established Federal Tender Board No. 1 at Kilgore, Texas. The Board processed requests by companies for permission to ship oil (tenders) and cooperated closely with the Texas Railroad Commission and other state agencies to inspect oil well operations and identify companies violating production regulations. Federal district courts generally prosecuted any violators.

On May 26, 1941, the Board's area of responsibility extended beyond East Texas, and soon established sub-offices in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Midland, Corpus Christi, and Houston, Texas. An executive order of October 27, 1942, re-designated the Federal Tender Board as the Federal Petroleum Board. Executive Order 9732 placed the Board under the supervision of the Oil and Gas Division of the Department of Interior. The Board concentrated on enforcing the Connally Act in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, and Michigan.

On February 21, 1958, the Board transferred to the Conservation Division of the U.S. Geological Survey by Executive Order 2828. The Board was replaced on July 1, 1963, by the Branch of Connally Act Compliance of the Conservation Division, U.S. Geological Survey. The Branch, headquartered in Kilgore, had district offices in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Midland and Victoria, Texas.

For related records, see Record Group 232, Records of the Petroleum Administrative Board.